Cindy C. Bennett's Blog, page 57

Midwinter's Eve Hop

It's time for the....Third Annual - Mid-Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop
December 21st to 27th
Co-hosted by Oasis for YA
For the Mid-Winters Eve I am giving away your choice of one of my eBooks to put on one lucky person's new eReader that I hope you are getting for Christmas:
Heart on a ChainImmortal Mine Snow WhiteBeautiful BeastRed and the Wolf   
Merry Christmas!  


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Dissidence SpotLight

In dystopian America, sixteen-year-old Kaleigh finds out quickly what having a big mouth and not enough brains to keep it shut can earn you. A one-way ticket to the work camps that no one even knows exists.
Nuclear war has ravished the nation, and a century later, the survivors are living in an entirely new world.  In a society where everything is decided for you, from where you work to who you marry, dissidence is not taken lightly.
But, even inside the camps, Kaleigh’s fiery spirit refuses to be extinguished. In a single moment of defiance, she manages to spark a riot that ignites into a full-blown rebellion.
With growing numbers counting on her, not just for their freedom, but for their very lives, two different boys vying for her heart, and trouble brewing from within the camp itself, can Kaleigh find a way to step up and become the leader everyone is counting on her to be, or will even the most carefully laid plans come crashing down around her?

My Dissidence Review
Disclaimer: Dissidence is published by Prose by Design, which I happen to co-own. It might seem self-serving to promote and give the book a good review, but I want you to know I gave it the review I’d have given it no matter who published it. I just happen to be lucky enough to have read the novel before anyone else and snap it up before another publisher. 

So, without further ado, here’s my review:
I’m a huge fan of dystopian novels. That being said, it can sometimes be difficult to find one that’s so good it sucks me in.
Dissidence is definitely one of those books. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed Jamie’s book. I couldn’t stop reading it. In fact, as one of the editors, I kept forgetting to edit because I was so entranced by the story. I’d have to go back and re-read what I’d already read to do my job.Jamie has weaved a tale in the vein of Hunger Games or Divergent, but with a completely unique story and heroine. Kaleigh doesn’t ever intend to be a hero, but she can’t stand by and watch someone else abused by a system that the general population isn’t even aware exists. Her instinctive action begins a revolution. Aided by the hunky Connor, she sneaks back into a work camp—in spite of the fact that everyone else is trying to get out—to rescue her lifelong friend Peter.
You’ll fall completely in love with all three main characters. Kaleigh in particular holds a special place in my heart because of her beautiful sarcasm and humor. Jamie wrote her in such a way that half the time you don’t know whether to laugh, cry, or jump into the pages and help her kick some butt.
The story is fast paced and ends far too soon, only because I wanted to stay in Kaleigh, Peter, and Connor’s world a little longer. Dissidence is an absolutely brilliant book.
If you like Jamie’s writing, I also highly recommend Our Own Worst Enemies , her short story in Screams in the Night: Tales of Terror(where I also happen to have a story, but hers is far better than mine). That’s honestly my all-time favorite zombie story—and that’s saying a lot considering I’m a fan of them (The Walking Dead, anyone?)
I not only highly recommend this book, I strongly encourage you to immediately get a copy and read it!

 A few reviews:



"A thrill ride! Fans of Divergent will love this fast-paced dystopian that will leave you breathless and begging for more."
-Cyndi Tefft, author of Between and Hell Transporter


"An amazingly snarky protagonist, two hot boys, a mass rebellion, and an ending that will blow your mind are the perfect ingredients that make  Dissidence  the next big thing in YA.  Ms. Canosa brilliantly blends duty, honor, and love in this unforgettable story making it a "must read" for 2013."
-Beth, YA Sisterhood
“I thoroughly enjoyed Dissidenceby Jamie Canosa. It was fast paced, well written, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the main character’s quirkiness and the way the story flowed. The cliffhanger at the end left me eagerly waiting the next installment. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a great Dystopian Read.”
-Jessica Sorensen, author of the Darkness Falls series
“I see this amazing dystopian as the next big thing. Fans of Divergentand Hunger Games will fall in love with this book!”
-Michelle, Michelle’s Paranormal Vault of Books
 “Jamie Canosa is a debut author to watch. Dissidence is a fast paced, engaging read that will leave you gasping for more long after the final page.”
-Cambria Hebert, author of the Heaven and Hell series
"Dissidence is now one of my favorite dystopian books! I loved everything about it! It had great characters, an amazing plot and also it was original!"
-Kendall, Book Crazy
“The book had me hooked from page 2, literally, I started and finished the book in a two hour marathon reading session where I was mentally complaining that it takes THAT long for a page to turn on my Kindle, and I needed to know. Surprising with such a fast paced novel, the build-up to the climaxes were still clear, well defined and progressed at break neck speed. The book is expertly formatted and edited, the story line has some unique twists and turns, and the voice of the author is all her own.”
-Wanda, Authors Allies, The Books Debut, and Tattle Tale
“Jamie Canosa's newest work Dissidence grabbed me from page one and would not let me go! Her depictions, from the emotions to the settings, were rich so detail that I could almost feel, see, and taste everything that she described. I fully enjoyed the heroine Kaleigh from her sassiness to her strength. She just jumped from the book and felt like a live person to me. If you love flavorful characters and looking for a good read, this is the book for you!”-Jenn, Indie Supporter"Ms. Canosa brilliantly guides us through an epic journey of bravery, trust, humanity and friendship.  Reminding us how a voice can never be too small, nor a person too slight to make a huge difference in the world."
-Lisa, Lisa’s Reads
“Jamie has done an outstanding job. The writing style is brilliant, which helps the story plot flow nicely. From the first page your interests are held.”
-Sam, Flipping Pages for All Ages
“Jamie did a wonderful job with this book and I seriously loved it. It touched me in so many ways. This was a must read! I highly recommend!”
-Shanora Williams, author of The Story of Jackson Haddock  “I couldn’t believe the action and thrills this book game me!”
-Cassie, Sassy Cassie’s Reviews   
 About Jamie:

Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Ravena, NY with her husband, and their three crazy kids . . . plus the dog, the bird, and the rabbit.



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V is for Virgin Tour stop

 

  When Val Jensen gets dumped for her decision to stay a virgin until marriage, the nasty breakup goes viral on YouTube, making her the latest internet sensation. 

After days of ridicule from her peers, Val starts a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. She meant to make a statement, but she never dreamed the entire nation would get caught up in the controversy. 

As if becoming nationally recognized as “Virgin Val” isn’t enough, Val’s already hectic life starts to spin wildly out of control when bad boy Kyle Hamilton, lead singer for the hit rock band Tralse, decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge.  


How can a girl stay true to herself when this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is doing everything in his power to win her over?

Guest post


V is for Very, Very Long Journey

Of all the novels I’ve ever written, and that’s probably somewhere in the teens or twenties by now, V is for Virgin took me the longest to write. Usually, once I throw myself into a novel I am finished with a first draft within three to four months. V took me over three years.
It started out as a random comment from my baby brother said in jest. I’d asked him what to write and he said, “Write a book about me where I am a hot famous rock star who gets all the chicks.”
I pointed out what a dork he was, but still took the idea and ran with it. I figured that if Kyle already had everything and “got all the chicks” then I would write a story about the one girl he couldn’t win over. I then gave her a reason that he couldn’t win her over and the idea of V is for Virgin was born. Right away I fell in love with this idea, and I absolutely LOVED my characters. I wrote the first third of the novel in about a week.
This is the part of the story where I explain to you that I suffer from an illness known as Story ADD. I cannot stick to one idea for very long. My brain has way too many stories it wants to write all the time and they are constantly fighting for my attention. (You have no idea how crowded it is in my head!) Anyway, I jump from story to story all the time based on my mood. 
I always have at least two or three novels in the works at one time. That’s just how I roll. Usually I still manage to just between those couple and finish them all around the same time but for some reason V is for Virgin was always the first one I put away when I got distracted. Since starting V, I have completed three and a half other novels.
For some reason I just couldn’t get V written. It became my “in between” novel. The book I’d pick up and write a chapter or two when I was between other novels. But it never stopped wanting me to write it. (Yes, I promise you stories are living things perfectly capable of nagging!) My mind would drift to it every time I opened Microsoft Word, and eventually it got so bad that I started dreaming about it. This novel wanted, no, demanded to be finished.
Once I completed this novel I actually went out with my husband to celebrate. I can’t tell you why I struggled so much with finishing this book, but I can tell you that I have never been so happy that I pushed through a story I struggled with. I LOVE this book. I am so proud of it, and I really thing people are going to enjoy it. Writing isn’t always fun, and it’s almost never easy if you make the effort to do it right, but it is always worth it. Seeing my books out there for the world to share is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever accomplished, and because of the struggle it took to get there, V is for Virgin is the most satisfying yet.

Author Kelly Oram
Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.
Links:Blog: http://www.kellyoram.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/kellyoramFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Oram/167476866620455Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3203095.Kelly_Oram  Use this rafflecopter code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

End of the World Giveaway Hop

[image error] End of the World Giveaway HopDecember 14th to 21stHosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
& My Life With Books


12/21/12 The Mayan Calendar Ends!Does it mean the end of the World? Probably not but just in case...
Which books would you save if the world was coming to an end?   For me, I'd enjoy the irony of saving a book about the end of the world at the end of the world, so I decided on Dissidence by Jamie Canosa, my most recent favorite dystopian novel. Stop by on the 19th to read my reveiw of Jamie's amazing new novel.

Leave me a comment as to what book you'd save. Help me build my TBR - as if I have time to read! :o) Enter using the Rafflecopter below to win your own copy of Dissidence. Then use the linky list below that to hop on over to other blogs for more chances to win other great novels.a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

The Legend of Garison Fitch Blog Tour

Tour Schedule

First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch

"What if history didn't happen that way ... the first time?"

Garison Fitch was one of the most revered scientists in the Soviet Americas until he left fame behind to work on a secret project in his log cabin in the mountains of Marx.

But something went wrong. Instead of traveling interdimentionally, Garison has traveled through time ... twice.

Now, he's in something called "The United States of America" and a woman he's never met before is calling herself his wife. It it a hoax? Or, has he somehow changed history?

If so, can he return the world to what he believes is "normal", or must he live in this strange world he created?




PurchaseKindle * Nook * Smashwords

Also Part of the Series:



[image error]
Saving Time

Two years ago Garison Fitch traveled through time and rewrote history. An accident in the eighteenth century created a whole new world, and even gave Garison a wife he had never met before. Now, he’s got a daughter and he’s coming to enjoy this world he created. Until he’s attacked by men masquerading as Indians, and a funeral procession from out of the past enlists his help, and a tree grows from sappling to full-grown in a matter of minutes, threatening his daughter’s very life. Time itself is unraveling and Garison’s trips through time seem to be the cause. Garison must go back in time once again and keep himself from making the original trip that started the problem. But he can’t use his time machine to go back. How does one sew up a rip in time?





Lost Time
Jason Kerrigan and Brownwyn Dalmouth are pilots with the Republic of Texas Army Air Corps. A world war is going on and bombs have just brought an end to Crockett Air Field in south Texas. Jason and Bronwyn, though, are called away from the battle to be test pilots for a new aircraft that-they're told-will bring the war to an end. The experimental craft lives up to expectations in early tests, but then it lands them somewhere it never should have sent them. Another place? Another time? Another dimension? Somehow, they've taken a trip to the future and changed the past. Or did they? The answer to their change of reality may be known to a Justice of the Peace in Colorado named Garison Fitch. To figure it out, though, Garison may have to team up with his least favorite person: Bat Garrett.


PurchaseKindle * Nook * Smashwords


Author Samuel Ben White

Samuel Ben White (“Sam” to his friends) is the author of the national newspaper comic strip “Tuttle’s” (found at www.tuttles.net) and the on-line comic book “Burt & the I.L.S.” (found at www.destinyhelix.com). He is married and has two sons. He serves his community as both a minister at a small church and a chaplain with hospice. In addition to his time travel stories, Sam has also written and published detective novels, a western, three fantasy novels and four works of Christian fiction.


Links
Twitter * Facebook * Website





Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Ends 12/18/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch Tour Schedule:
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/10/first-time-blog-tour.html

For What It's Worth Blog Tour

For What It's Worth by Karey White


Twenty-four year-old, Abby Benson has dreams of owning her own wedding cake shop. An inheritance from her aunt gives her the ability to make those dreams come true. She hires Dane, a handsome contractor, to help her get the bakery up and running and soon they’re moving toward their own happy ending.


Unsure what to charge for her cakes, Abby has a crazy idea to let the customer decide what they think their cake is worth. This plan has its ups and downs, but the novelty of the idea makes her a local celebrity. When she is interviewed on television about the unusual idea, business booms and Abby has cake adventures she never dreamed possible. But as her fame grows, Abby is swept up in a whirlwind that threatens everything she values. With the challenges that face her, will she be able to determine what is worth the most?


My review of For What It’s Worth by Karey White:

This is Karey’s second book, and it’s theme is very different than her first book, Gifted, proof that Karey’s talent extends beyond one genre.
In For What It’s Worth, Abby is left a bakery and the money needed to pursue her dream of opening a wedding cake shop. She opens the yellow pages and picks out a contractor, surprised and pleased when the handsome Dane Reynolds shows up on her doorstep, who coincidentally shares her religious beliefs, something rare in Washington. They hit it off and before long, they’re dating.Abby has all she wants in the mild success of the bakery and her new love Dane, mostly due to her unique pricing method of allowing customers to pay what they think the cake is worth rather than a set price. A series of events causes the shop to succeed beyond her wildest dreams. Abby then has to decide what her priorities are. Is it the bakery which now takes up her every waking moment, or her desire to have a family—with Dane? In For What It’s Worth Karey asks us to think about our own lives. If we’re given everything we’ve ever wanted, only those things don’t work together, what would be most important to us?
Karey has created memorable and lovable characters in this book. Abby and Dane are both flawed humans, like the rest of us, who are perfect for each other. Their families are full of appealing characters, and Abby’s shop helpers are interesting and intriguing. I love the premise of the “pay me what you think it’s worth” idea. Karey extends the theme to other areas of the book by asking what all aspects of our lives are worth.
One of the best parts of the book is that each chapter starts with a recipe that has to do with something in the chapter, everything from “Aunt Grace’s Favorite Snickerdoodles” to “Homemade Egg Noodles” to “Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie” (which I can’t wait to try) to “A Fairy Tale Day.” It’s a great book that I had a hard time putting down. I’d keep saying, “one more chapter” and then five chapters later, eyes drooping, I’d finally put it aside. It’s as charming as its lead characters, the love story is realistic and heartbreaking and uplifting, and as much as you want to shake Abby for some of the disastrous decisions she makes, they are completely understandable and human. 
I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy good LDS romance stories.

 

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Finding the Baby Jesus Blog Tour

Tour Schedule

Finding the Baby Jesus by Kimball Fisher

After being forced to wear lederhosen for the annual holiday card picture, twelve-year-old Chris thinks that the least his parents can do is get him the Tony Hawk skateboard he wants for Christmas. But when he recovers the hand-carved Baby Jesus that everyone thought had been destroyed in a fire the year his Grandma died, Chris realizes that some gifts are even more important than skateboards.

When the author had to discontinue a cherished tradition of reading Christmas stories out loud with his family and holiday guests each week in December, he wrote Finding the Baby Jesus. He had been unable to locate enough meaningful stories that could be read in a single sitting with wiggly children.



Praise for Finding the Baby Jesus:

“Tender and true, this warm Christmas tale brought tears to my eyes.”
–Heather Vogel Frederick, author of the much-beloved Mother-Daughter Book Club series and Oregon Book Award winner for The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed

“A touching story that speaks to the importance of family, giving, and the true spirit of Christmas.”–Matthew Kirby, author of Icefall, winner of the Edgar Allen Poe and the Pen Center USA Literary Awards for Children’s Literature

“Deeply moving. Poignant.”–Deborah Halverson, former editor at Harcourt Children’s Books and author of Honk If You Hate Me, a Gayle McCandliss Literary Award Winner

"The perfect little book to tuck away with your Christmas things and bring out year after year to read with family. As mother to three boys, I can't imagine a better protagonist than Chris. His typical teenage attitude followed by the softening of his heart towards a friend teaches a poignant and very relatable lesson on the true meaning of Christmas."
–Amazon review

"After I read this short story I felt like I had read a novel--every sentence is packed with action and imagery. I was emotionally connected to the characters, and the story is touching. I didn't see the plot twist at the end coming! A great story to read every Christmas."
–Amazon review



PurchaseAmazon * Smashwords 

My review of Finding Baby Jesus

I can’t say much about this short story without giving away the plot other than to say it’s a great Christmastime story to remind us of what Christmas is truly about. Sometimes we get so caught up in the shopping, wrapping, and excitement of what treasures Christmas morning will bring that we forget to stop and remember why we have this holiday. Finding Baby Jesus is a great reminder for all of us to take time to think of those who are so much less fortunate than we are. This would be a great book to share with your family at Christmas time. 


Author Kimball Fisher


Kimball Fisher writes novels for young readers. He is also a best-selling business author, professional speaker, and management consultant. Some of his past jobs include: sailboat builder, ghost writer (not as scary as it sounds), illustrator, and factory manager (more scary than it sounds). For fun he builds furniture, stained-glass windows, and writing pens.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities (with minors in English, Asian Studies, and Japanese), and a Master of Organizational Behavior degree from Brigham Young University. He and his amazing wife Reenie live in Portland, Oregon, where they have seen pheasants, coyotes, and a bobcat in their own backyard.

LinksWebsite * Facebook

Book Blast Enter the $50 Book Blast

Tour Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 12/26/12

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Tour Schedule: 
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/10/finding-baby-jesus-blog-tour.html

Finding June SpotLight

Finding June By Shannen Crane Camp 

Standing up for what you believe in is hard for any teenager in the battleground known as high school. It's even harder in the world of Hollywood, which is where sixteen-year-old June Laurie dreams of being. Thanks to the constant training from her agent/grandmother and the support of her best friend Joseph, June is positive she's ready. But is an innocent little Mormon girl like June ever really ready to be cast as the love interest for the country's hottest star, Lukas Leighton? When June lands a role in Hollywood's most popular crime drama, Forensic Faculty, she finds herself caught off-guard by the fast-paced world of tabloids and paparazzi, and swept off her feet by her gorgeous co-star. Now June must decide what she's willing to give up to achieve the title of Hollywood starlet—or more importantly, what's too sacred to lose.


 
Purchase it on:
Amazon (Kindle)
Amazon (Paperback) --- Coming soon!
Barnes and Noble (Nook)
Smashwords (E-book)

My Review of Finding June by Shannen Crane Camp 



Finding June by Shannen Crane Camp is a pure joy to read! An original story with characters who are charming and real, Finding Junesucks you in from the first page - particular from the first 'stage' kiss between lifelong best friends Joseph and June. 
June Laurie gets the shot of a lifetime when she’s called to audition, and then lands, the coveted part opposite hunky Lukas Leighton on the popular TV show, Forensic Faculty, as his love interest. When the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur, June knows she can depend on Joseph to keep her grounded—if she can pull her head out of the Lukas-lined clouds long enough to actually listen to him.
Soon June is faced with trying to decipher what is more real, her astonishing and unlikely romance with Lukas or her solid friendship with Joseph, and whether sticking to her standards is more important than being the “cool” girl worthy of Lukas.
Camp brings you fully into June's crazy world of theater, TV dramas, and real life dramas in a way that keeps you up late into the night, turning the pages. You won’t want to stop reading until you’ve read every last word of June’s story and the outlandish way she fixes the messes she’s made. June and Joseph are reminiscent of actors of the early 1900’s who’ve been modernized without losing that old-fashioned charm. You’re a stronger woman than me if you can avoid falling in love with Joseph, and being completely charmed by June. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance.    

Realm of the Lost Interview

  Realm of the Lost by Emma Eden Ramos (Novella)

What happens when you die before your time?

Thirteen-year-old Kathleen "Kat" Gallagher has had it with her family. The eldest of three children, Kat feels trapped ever since her parents’ separated and she has had to take on more responsibility than she feels prepared for. Everything changes on a frigid morning in mid-December when an accident propels Kat into unfamiliar territory.

Stuck in the place where people go when they have died before their time, Kat must face obstacles she could never have imagined.

With the help of other young inhabitants of the Realm of the Lost, Kat learns the true meaning of friendship and family. Interview of Emma Eden Ramos writer of Realm of the Lost: CB: At what point did you decide to become a writer? Was there someone or something that specifically inspired you?
EER: I began experimenting with poetry when I was fifteen. While I knew I wanted to write fiction at around thirteen to fourteen, I didn't begin until I was twenty-one. If I trace my love for both reading and writing back to childhood, I have to pause at one particular book. That book is Lois Lowry's The Giver. I read The Giver in fifth grade and, while I'd always loved reading, I don’t think I fully understood the power of strong writing until I read Lois Lowry's award-winning novel. 
CB: When you are writing, where are you, and what do you have with you?
EER: I tend to write in either my living room or my bedroom. If the weather's warm and welcoming, I may sit in Central Park. If I can have a nice cup of Earl Grey tea by my side while I write, I'm quite content.
CB: How do you write: outline or seat of your pants, and why?
EER: I tend to write with a collection of notes in my lap. Because I am not a visual person, outlines don't help. My notes are, however, usually more about the characters than the story itself. Film director Howard Hawks once said, "Everybody has seen every plot twenty times. What they haven't seen is characters and their relation to one another." While I do feel that it is important to have a general blueprint of the plot somewhere within reach, I have also found that if you know your characters well, they will be the guiding force behind the story.
CB:Tell us about your inspiration for Realm of the Lost ?

EER: The Realm of the Lost was initially conceived during a family gathering. My cousin was getting married; there were people from ages three months to ninety-three-years present. I began thinking about the life-cycle and what happens when we die. What do we leave behind? Where do you go? These questions stuck with me, and I began The Realm of the Lost on the flight home.
CB: What are you working on now?
EER: I am currently working on another book for young readers. Please stay tuned! 
  I'd like to thank Emma for taking time out of her busy touring schedule to stop by for the interview. Good luck with the book, Emma!
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An Unexpected Angel

[image error] AnUnexpected Angel – Plot Synopsis
                Ella Davies, is focused, independent, and driven. Her hard work is finally paying off and she is on the brink of great success. But what no one knows is that her frantic drive is born not from a desire to succeed, but from a need to forget – forget her past, forget her guilt, and mostly, forget the tragedy that changed her life forever.                 Ella’s strategy seems to be working but on Christmas Eve she meets Cohen, a strange man with an even stranger purpose. Cohen catapults Ella back through time and forces her to confront not only her own pain, but the pain of those long since passed. In the process, Ella learns about courage and compassion and that in the darkest hour, no one is ever alone.

Tagline
Sometimes finding peace means finding a difference perspective.

Author Bio
Janet Halling discovered her love of writing at the age of six when her story of a lonely duck won a first grade writing contest. She has a BA in Marketing Communications and lives with her family in northern Utah where she is currently working on her next novel.

The Work of Writingby Janet K. Halling
The most common question I get is about the writing process and how it works. So here’s what I know, based on my experience and conversations with other writers.
I think a common misconception about writers is that we only write when inspiratioWell...yes. Sometimes it can be that way. And when it is, it’s awesome. But most of the time, it’s a slog. Those moments of inspiration are what every writer dreams about, but for every ten minutes of thrilling creativity, there are usually hours and hours of plain, hard work.
THAT part of writing is meticulous research, ruthless editing, and lots and lots of time spent thinking. Does the story make sense? Would this character really behave this way? Is this the right word or can I think of a better one? Story arc...Plot holes...Grammar...Punctuation!!  And we probably spend more time than we like to admit thinking, “Oh crap! How do I get my characters out of this situation?”
THAT part of writing is not glamorous, but it is the part that takes you from a fleeting idea to a finished manuscript. And THAT part of writing is what allows you to hold your published book for the first time and feel...enormous satisfaction.
So keep on, all you fellow writers! Enjoy the Jo March moments. But don’t forget to put in the rest of the time as well.